Healthy Living

Soaked Nuts

Have you ever soaked nuts? Here are 3 reasons why you might want to try it.

1. Tannins (or the bitter taste) get released from nuts after just 20 minutes of soaking time. With the tannins released, the nut has a softer, less bitter taste.

2. Soaked nuts start the “sprouting process” and like other sprouted seeds and nuts, there is increased enzyme activity and greater absorption of the nut's nutrients by the body and increased digestibility. Nuts without skins such as macadamias, cashews or Brazil nuts don't have as much of the murky water residue, but soaking is still recommended.

3. Soaked nuts make for great smoothies and desserts. After nuts have been soaked, they are great for dips and in smoothies. They break down more easily and blend into the recipe more easily.

Soaking Nuts: Recommended Soaking Time
Soak your nuts and seeds anywhere from 20 minutes, to 2 to 3 hours, even overnight in the refrigerator. In general, harder nuts will take longer to soften. If your recipe calls for soaked nuts or seeds and you are low on time, try to squeeze in 20 minutes or just do a really good job rinsing them. Otherwise, plan ahead a bit and soak them overnight in your refrigerator in a glass container with an airtight lid.

Then what:
Lightly toasting your soaked and dried nuts will yield an especially nice result. Ovens can often bake as low as 160-170 degrees. If your oven does this, bake them on a cookie sheet for an hour. If you have a food dehydrator, this is a good option too. Follow the instructions in your manual.

Soaked nuts do not last as long, so only soak as much as you can eat in a weeks time.